The Military Commissions Act of 2006 is the law passed by Congress and signed by President George W. Bush on October 17, 2006, that authorized the President of the United States to establish military commissions. It defined who may be tried by military commission and for what crimes. It laid out basic protections an accused is entitled to and procedures for conducting commissions. The Military Commissions Act of 2009 replaced the MCA of 2006.

The Regulation for Trial by Military Commission (2007) is promulgated by the U.S. Secretary of Defense. It identifies policies and procedures for operating military commissions, including the operations of the United States Court of Military Commission Review.

The Manual for Military Commissions (2007) was promulgated by the U.S. Secretary of Defense under the MCA. It contained rules of procedure and evidence applicable to trials by military commission. The 2010 Manual replaced the 2007 Manual.

Military Order of November 13, 2001, issued by President George W. Bush, established military commissions for trial of certain individuals in connection with the hostilities between the United States and individuals or organizations connected with the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.

Military Commission Orders (MCOs), issued between March 2002 and September 2005 by the Secretary of Defense or the Deputy Secretary of Defense, established a framework and procedures for military commissions.

MCO No. 1
Procedures for Trials by Military Commissions of Certain Non-United States Citizens in the War Against Terrorism [superseded by MCO No. 1 of August 31, 2005] 3/21/2002